When you go to purchase a used car, there are several things you need to look out for before making that vehicle your own. Being prepared and knowing what you need to look for before going will help you make the best financial decision for your family’s needs. Here are 4 things to look out for when buying a used car.
- Review The Vehicle History Report
You need to be aware of any accidents or mechanical issues that might have been reported while the previous owner or owners had the vehicle. Knowing what the car has gone through will help you know what you will potentially have to do for maintenance in the future. Closely reviewing the report will inform you if there are any serious issues on the internal part of the vehicle. A great website to use is Carfax if you are needing help researching the history of your potential vehicle. This is something that is highly important and needs to be done to protect yourself and whoever will be riding in the car with you.
- Always Take It For A Test Drive
Before you agree to sign paperwork, you need to actually drive the car yourself and look out for different things that could potentially be wrong with the car. Practice using the turn signals, accelerating and using the stereo system. If there is something wrong with the car, you should be able to tell by the test drive and your time spent in the vehicle. Any other issues will show up on the vehicle history report.
- Check The Price
If you think the price tag on the car you are considering purchasing is off, double check the value on Kelly Blue Book. Here you will get an estimate for the value of the vehicle and if it is different from the price tag, have a conversation with the car salesman to make sure you are not getting a bad deal. Checking the price of your current car will help you make sure they are giving you a good value on your trade-in if you are trading in a car to help purchase the new one.
- Request An Inspection And Read Reviews
Before you drive off the lot, you have every right to request an inspection by the dealership. Having a trained mechanic take a look at the vehicle will give you peace of mind that you are making a good financial investment because they will be able to see any red flags that you need to be aware of. The seller might not be aware of potential issues with the car, but a mechanic has no connection to the processing of the sale and will be honest with you, as long as you choose a trustworthy mechanic. Another great way to make sure you are making a good decision is to read up on the reviews from the seller and the vehicle itself. If you are needing a specific feature in your car, make sure that it is exactly what you want before proceeding to sign papers.
